REVIEW: Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures of the Eighth Grade #6

“What am I supposed to do with a superpowered horse? Seriously?


So,  remember when I reviewed the first issue of Cosmic Adventures and declared it to was  really fun and great?

Well, the last one’s out now and figure I’d better review that too.

…This may quite possibly be the most fun and crazy miniseries ever created. I’m quite serious.

In this last issue, all kinds of crazy plot points culminate, Supergirl comes into her own as a hero, a friend’s fate is decided and everything is WACKY and BRILLIANT.

Landry Walker has created a series that is exactly what Supergirl should be: chock full of cosmic craziness, killer action and funny stuff, yet there’s also a softer side to it all: this book carries a good message about friendship, acceptance, confidence and finding your own individuality. But it’s very subtle, and not at all cheesy.

I have grown to love this geeky, goofy Supergirl. But I also love the supporting characters established. I love Belinda, Supergirl’s cynical and darkly sarcastic “bizarro” clone who, underneath it all, is very lonely. Then there’s Principal Picklemeyer who is…well, you’ll see. The appearances by Streaky and Comet are fabulous. But the character I love most of all is Lex’s little sister, Lena Luthor. All Lex’s craziness and mad science and identity issues packed into a short redheaded girl (she’s different from Lex though, of course, she puts her own twist on things), and she just happens to be Linda (Supergirl)’s best friend. Torn between loyalty to her brother and her friend! I’ve grown very fond of Lena’s hyperactive mad science she uses to solve her and Linda’s schoolday problems, and her pessimistic, crazy attitude. Her story is also a good one and I’m very pleased with it’s conclusion, which was quite touching.

Lex also gets a good moment here. There’s a great moment where Superman and he are in the midst of battle, saying the usual things they say, then they both see Lena and Kara in trouble and stop dead. And the moment he gets AFTER that…well, I won’t spoil it, but is SO wonderfully Lex, especially his comment to Superman. We get to see all kinds of sides to him, and it’s spot on characterization. Yep, that’s right, perfect characterization in a “kid’s comic”.

With all the time travel and alternate dimensions, there are some confusing concepts here, so this series is skewed older than I initially thought it, more in the 10-13 range. But it’s also perfect for even older fans, especially with all the little references thrown in. (“Beware the red skies…”? Ouch.)

I also like the art! It’s cartoony, but complex. It’s bright and fun.

I wholeheartedly reccomend this entire series. It’s fun, funny, and weird. It’s characterization is better than some “adult” comics out there. And Supergirl grows from a scared little girl into a buttkicking heroine.

I hope this sells well enough that we get another mini, or even an ongoing! Because the comic is definitely the top of the Johnny DC line, and just tops in general!